Bihar To Get First Ever Nuclear Power Plant

Bihar will soon have its first nuclear power plant, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced on Tuesday. This makes Bihar one of the first states to get a new atomic plant under India's big plan for clean energy.

The announcement comes ahead of assembly elections in Bihar. Khattar said, "If the Bihar government sets up a nuclear power plant, the Central Government is fully prepared to provide support."

Often ridden with power shortages, Bihar is expected to receive a steady and reliable supply of electricity with this nuclear power plant. The plant is also expected to help industries grow and improve daily life for citizens.

Bihar Nuclear Power Plant Features

The new plant will feature a modern technology known as Small Modular Reactors (SMR). According to experts, these reactors represent a significant advancement over older, large-scale nuclear facilities. SMRs are designed to be smaller and more flexible, making them cheaper and faster to build. Importantly, they are also considered safer due to their advanced designs. This project is part of the central government's ‘Nuclear Energy Mission’ which aims to build at least one nuclear power plant in every state.

In addition to the nuclear plant, the central government is boosting Bihar's power infrastructure with other key projects. A large 1,000 MW battery storage facility has been approved to make the electricity grid more stable and better support renewable energy. To address immediate needs, the Centre will also supply an extra 500 MW of electricity to Bihar for the next six months to help meet high summer demand.

Khattar praised Bihar for its recent improvements in the power sector, such as installing 80 lakh smart meters and reducing power wastage. "Bihar was lagging behind in the power sector but it has done a considerably good job," he said.

He also said that the government has prepared a comprehensive power vision for 2035, covering thermal, solar, wind, storage, and nuclear energy projects. The decision is part of a broader policy effort to diversify India’s energy mix and address rising electricity demand with advanced nuclear technology.